Apparatus for the treatment of intermittent claudication



Nov. 7, 1950 A H. l. POOR APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

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APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION Filed Dec. 5; 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. flf/VKI]. F'dok, V

Patented Nov. 7, 1950 APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF v INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION Henry I. Poor, La Fayette, Ind., assignor of onefourth to J. Philip Sampson, Santa Monica,

Calif.

Application December 5, 1945, Serial No. 632,907

12 Claims. (01. 128-24) This invention relates generally to means for the treatment of certain vascular diseases in which there exists deficient or impaired circulation, and particularly by increasing the immediate flow by forcing blood flow through established vessels and by stimulating collateral circulation in certain cases. While particularly beneficial in the treatment of the circulatory system of a limb of the human body, the invention is also of value for the treatment of certain muscular conditions.

Having the foregoing in mind, an object of this invention is to repetitiously apply to a limb or selected portion thereof to be treated, predetermined pressure in an intermittent and generally in a progressive manner, in accordance with the specific directions of the attending physician.

An important feature of this invention resides in a sectionalized, limb-enveloping means and applying selected pressure thereto andreleasing the pressure therefrom, all in timed relation and cyclically, as hereinafter described.

Other objects and features of this invention will be set forth more fully hereinafter.

The full nature of the invention will be under- A stood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the limb-enveloping applicator unit of the apparatus of sectional character and adjustable to limb conformance, the limb (a leg) being shown dotted.

Fig. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of one of the limb-enveloping sections.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view thereof taken at right angles to Fig. 2, on line 33 thereof and in the direction of the arrows, full lines indicating the normal position and dotted lines indicating the inflated or pressure applying position.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal and generally sectional view of an automatic control mechanism of the type operable by fluid pressure and adapted for control of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a modified and simplified form of control capable of manual or power operation, portions beingbroken away to show the details of certain parts and their operative relation.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of an electric control.

Fig. '7 is a vertical sectional viewthrough. a control mechanism of still different construction, which may be utilized according to the present invention.

"Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view looking toyvard the valve ring, taken .upon the broken line ill 88 of Fig. 7 and in the direction of the arrows.

. Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view looking toward-the base structure, taken upon the broken line 99 of Fig. '7 and in the direction of the arrows."

Reference will now be had to Figs. 1 to 3-in- ,c1usive, wherein the limb-enveloping applicator unit is illustrated in detail. This is an exemplary form only, for obviously it may take other shapes.

In these figures, ill indicates a common connector to which is suitably secured (detachably, if desired) the required number of pressure inflatable sections H, each of the desired circumferential size and eachhaving a common inlet and. outlet l2, connectible byconduit or flexible tube I3 .to a source of regulated pressure. v

Each section, see more particularly Figs. 2 and. 3, includes a somewhat flexible base it, such as 4 oz. canvas, which fits the leg and has suitably secured thereto an inflatable portion iii of closed character having free communication with the combination inlet and outlet I2, the latter passing through the base M as at Ma.

Associated with this elongated structure is a suitable connector in the form of a buckle or the like It secured as at ll and the cooperating strap [8, also secured oppositely as at E9.

The entire applicator unit is applied to the limb L, see Fig. 1, andthe-several sections thereof are adjusted thereto, in deflated condition, by lapping the buckle supporting end of each with its strapsupporting end, associating the buckle and strap together and tightening up the section 'to the desired degree upon the limb, so that unit conformance to the limb is obtained.

Such a unit obviously can be used interchangeably on different length, girth and shaped limbs. Obviously, also, the inflating pressure can be adjusted. When each section is inflated it assumes or rather tends to assume a position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3, that is, expands radially inward. Thus, constricting pressure may be selectively applied by the several sections along the entire length of thelimb enveloped by the applicator unit, the points of pressure application and progressive movement thereof being determined by the control mechanism, as will hereafter be described more fully.

Reference will now be had to Fig. 4, wherein one form of adjustable, automatic control mechanism of the type operable by fluid pressure is illustrated. As there shown, 26 indicates a common supply and exhaust header or cylinder which may have .open end 2|, exhaust port 22 and 152 controlled by needle valve 51.

rhas' supply port 53 connected 'by line 59 to line 5|.

' tube I3.

Slidably mounted in a bearing 39 near the exhaust port 22 is a reciprocable tube 24 closed as at '25 at one end and connected at its opposite end 25 to a gauge 2! and pressure regulating valve 28 in turn suitably connected by a supply tube 29 to a source of fluid pressure (not shown).

Adjustably mounted on the opposite end of tube 24 in the take-off portion of cylinder 28 is a pair of spaced pistons 39 :and 31, which act as valves, the tube 24 therebetween' being 'suitably ported as at,32. The pistons herein are illustrated in the positions shown'as having an effective spacing suificient to connect this space with three of the tubes 23.

. From the foregoing, it will beobserved'that regulated pressure from tube 29, as shown in Fig. 4, will be supplied to the three left end tubes l3, while all other tubes I 3 are free to vent to atmosphere. Moreover, as the tube '24 is reciprocated in opposite directions, tubes 13 will be successively and progressively connected in the direction of movement of the pistons and successively and progressively disconnected in the opposite direction with respect to'the space between the pistons. It will be noted that at least one tube remains connected and inflated at all times, so as to apply a holding pressure as the tubes on one side are progressively connected and the tubes on the other side thereof progressively disconnected. With this action, a. continuously a plied pressure wave may be progressively translated along the connected sections of the applicator unit in one direction or the other depending upon the order in which the sections are connected to the take-oil tubes 23. The unconnected tubes 13 on the right side of piston 3! are free to vent to atmosphere by way of cylinder 20 and exhaust port 22, and since cylinder 20 is open at the left hand end, of course, all tubes l3 then to the left of piston 30 also vent to the atmosphere.

Reference will now be had to the right hand portion of Fig. 4. Herein cylinder 20 is extended beyond bearing 39 and the latter serves as a cylinder head. This extension 40 is closed at ithe other end as 4!, which also serves as a cylinder head and a bearing for tube 24. Said tube serves as .a piston rod for pistons 42 in cylinder 40..

7 Supply and exhaust ports 43 and 44 are provided to cylinder 40 adjacent the endsthereof. Each port is controlled by a three-way valve. Herein port 43 is controlled by valve member 45 in housing 48 having a port 41, needle valve or like controlled'at 48. The housing has supply port '49 connected to line 50 supplied by line 5| and controlled by valve 52. Gauge 53 indicates the fluid supply pressure.

' In like manner port 44 is controlled by valve 'member 54 in housing 55 having exhaust port The housing The two valve members 45 and 54 have arms 45a and 54a respectively connected by link '60.

Link carries stop or arm means 6! that is alternately engaged by arms 62- and 63 carried .by travel limit reciprocable arm 64 slidably supported in bearings at 65 and suitably connected directly or indirectly to tube 24 for movement in timed relation therewith.

, Thus, when piston 42 has completely moved to left, the fluid ahead of same discharging at 4T-48 as regulated, valve 45 is actuated to supply pressure to ports 49 and 43 and simultaneously cut oil pressure at port 58. The fluid to the right of piston 42 then wastes through port 56 controlled by valve 51. When the travel is completed pressure supply at the left end is cut ofi, that end connected to vent and the pressure supply is connected to the, right end of cylinder ML a,

In this manner the tube 24 is reciprocated to and fro automatically and the duration is determined by the adjusted pressure supply and valve controlled wastes or vents. As stated, travel limit member 64 or link '68 may actuate an onoif valve in line 26 29 so that pressure is applied tothe sections for one travel direction only. In this event the vent valve for the reverse travel control would be omitted so that quick return, as it were, couldoccur.

"Reference will now be had to Fig. 5. Herein there is illustrated a header and cylinder 10 having a head Tl at one end supporting rod 12 mounting piston 13 within said cylinder.

The other end of said cylinder 18 is connected at 14 to a supply line '35 by regulating valve 16. Gauge (8a may also .be included. .Cylinder 10 has exhaust ports E9 near the end opposite the pressure supply end, and take-on tubes #8 respectively connected to tubes I3.

Piston rod 12 may be cyclically controlled auto matically or manually and, if automatically, by any suitable fluid pressure, mechanical or electrical means. i V

In this embodiment c'fthe invention pressure is held from the right end in Fig. 5 to the left end and progressively released as piston'13 moved to the right. 7

It is to be understood that it is preferred in this form to apply, see Fig; 1, pressure closest to the trunk and gradually apply pressure toward the extremity and then proceedin reverse direction to withdraw the pressure, as described.

Obviously, other forms of control may be utilized as desired or required as, for example, in Fig. 6 there is illustrated an adjusted fluid pressure supply '80 feeding to header 8| having as many bores 82 therein as there are sections in the applicator unit. For each bore there is a take-oil. tube 83 and an atmospheric vent 84. In each bore is a valve member 85 having a cross-passage 86 adapted to interconnect tube 83 with port 84. Valve member 85 includes angle passage 81 having one end constantly exposed to the regulated pressure. The other end, when venting passage 88, is in non-registering position and connects supply to tube 83.

Valve is normally biased to venting position by spring 88 vand is electrically actuated in opposition thereto by solenoid 89 having in its circuit a normally open switch 90. A rotative cam 9| closes said switch and during the switch closed duration pressure fluid is supplied to tube 83 and the section connected thereto and suchpressure is maintained until the cam closed switch opens, whereupon pressure fluid is cut oil and vented at 84. I j I Various other electrical controls may be employed. In the form illustrated a single rotative cam can successively close peripherally arranged switches, the length of the cam portion determining whether 1, 2 or 3 sections are simultaneously being inflated and repetitiously. y

In Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive, there is illustrated a further modification of the invention in which the control isarrangedfonrotative cyclic opera.

tion. Therein indicates a'base provided with therein communicating with channel in' element ported by base95 at I02.

This element Iill has formed inone face III3-a circular channel ms. Herein in said channel are provided twelve ports I95 (same'may be fifteen if desired). Each of ports lii'communicates by flexible conduit IEJI with one of theinflatable sections of the applicator unit shownin Fig. 1 and connects to the inlet and outlet l2 shown therein. Rotatable in said channel IIi Iis a hard rubber valve ring I08 having an arcuate channel or 'slot I09 therethrough equal to the'spacing between three ports 35. It also is provided with an arcuate slot or channel I It. The ring I98 may be press fitted or otherwise suitably secured in seat III' in the element confronting face I I2 of confronting'element H3 keyed as at II to rotatable'conduit 99. Element H3 has discharge port Hi6 III]. Said conduit has bore H5 that is in free communication with radial bore H6 in element N3, the latter having bore II'I that registers with arcuate slot I09 at all times. A gear I I8 is keyed as at H9 to conduit 99 orotherwise secured to element H3. Motor rotation of gear H8 thereforerotates element H3 and ring I58 so that three of the ports I05 are successively and progressively connected and disconnected with respect to the fluid pressure supply in the manner previousl described; Since discharge port I06 channel III! and this with selected ports I I35, the latter when so registering vent to the atmosp r I Conduit 99 projects beyond element I92 and is appreciably extended as at I22, the free endbeing threaded as at I23 to take a spring seat member I24 and lock nut I25 for securing predetermined pressure from spring I26, the latter at its opposite end bearing on seat member I21, in turn bearing on thrust bearing I28 bearing upon element H32. Thus element II 3 with its ring I68 is always drawn by spring I26 into facial engagement with element I92. A protective cap I29, secured as at I36 to element I02, may be provided if desired.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in great detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character.

The several modifications described herein, as well as others which will readily suggest them selves to persons skilled in this art, all are considered to be within the broad scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:

1. A selective pressure supply control device including in combination a cylinder having a piston rod therein, a plurality of take-off tubes in free communication with the cylinder and arranged longitudinally thereof, said cylinder having a vent therefrom, and piston means positioned in the cylinder carried by said rod, said means having spaced ends, and a pressure supply connection between said spaced ends connectable with said tubes during actuation of said piston means, whereby selective pressure supply to certain of the tubes and the venting of other tubes is determined.

2. A selective pressure supply control device H3 registers with arcuate slot or including in combination a cylinder h'avi'ngia piston rod therein, a plurality of take-off tubes in free communication withflthe cylinder and arranged longitudinally thereof, said cylinder having a vent therefrormand piston means positioned in the cylinder carried by said rod, said means having spaced ends supported for adjustment towards and away from eachother, and a pressure supply connection between said ends, connectable with said tubes during actuation of said piston means, whereby selective pressure supply to certain of'the tubesand the venting of other tubes is determined. 1 i

3. A control device as defined by claim' 1 wherein the pressure supply connection includes a piston rod which is tubular and in constant communication with the pressure supply.

4. In therapeutic apparatus including'a plu rality of inflatable and deflatable applicator sections adapted to be applied in side-by-side relation along a portion of a limb to be treated; a source of fluid pressure, and control means comprising valve parts arranged to connect a plurality of adjacently disposed sections to-said-fluid pressure for simultaneous inflation as'a'group, and means for actuating said valve parts to successively connect additional sections for inflation at one side of said group and at the same time successively disconnect and deflate inflated sections at the other side of the group, whereby translation of the group along the limb in one direction is secured, said group containing at least one inflated section other than those being connected and disconnected, which is retained in connection with said source of fluid pressure.

5. In therapeutic apparatus, a selective fluid pressure distribution and control device comprisin a fluid pressure inlet, a pluralit of spaced fluid pressure outlets, valve means arranged to simultaneously connect as a group a plurality of adjacently disposed outlets to the inlet, and means for actuating said valve means to successively connect additional outlets atone side of the group to the inlet and disconnect outlets at the other side of the roup with respect to the inlet, said group containing at least one outlet, between the outlets being connected and disconnected, which is connected to the inlet.

6. In therapeutic apparatus, a selective fluid pressure distribution and control device comprising a fluid pressure inlet, a plurality of spaced fluid pressure outlets, valve means arranged to simultaneously connect as a group a plurality of adjacently disposed outlets to the inlet, means for actuating said valve means to successively connect additional outlets at one side of the group and disconnect outlets at the other side of the group, said group containing at least one outlet connected to the inlet other than the one being disconnected, and means venting to atmosphere the outlets which are not connected to the inlet.

'7. In therapeutic apparatus, a selective fluid pressure distribution and control device comprising a fluid pressure inlet, a plurality of spaced fluid pressure outlets, valve means arranged to simultaneously connect as a group a plurality of adjacentl disposed outlets to the inlet to apply positive pressure to said outlets, and means for actuating said valve means to successively disconnect the outlets at one side of the group with respect to the inlet pressure and vent all the disconnected outlets to atmosphere.

8, Apparatus for treatment of vascular diseases, comprising: a fluid pressure inlet, a plural- 7 j r I ity g fr spaced fluid pressure outlets adapted ior 'connection with the respective sections of apressure applicator, valve means arranged to simultaneously'connect as a group a plurality of adjacentlydisposed outlets to the inlet,means for ac disconnect outlets at the other'side of the group, said group containing at least one outletcon- -nected to the inlet other than the onexloe'ing dis connected, and 'means ventin to atmosphere the "outlets positioned on both sides of thegroup con,- nectedoutletsf '9, Apparatus for treatment of vascular diseases, comprising; a fluid pressure'inleta plural:-

ity orflspaced fluid pressure outlets adapted for connection with the respective sections of a pressure applicator, continuously rotatable 'valve means cyclically operable to simultaneously' con- ,nect as a group a plurality of adjacentl-y disposed tuating said valve means to successively connect additional outlets at one side of the group and outlets to the inlets, and means for actuating .said valve means to successively connect additional outlets at one side of the group and disconnect outlets at the other side of the group, said group containing at least one outlet connected to the inlet other than the one being disconnected. 1

10. Apparatus for treatment of vascular diseases, comprising; a cylinderhaving a piston rod therein, a plurality of take-off tubes in free com- I Inunication with the cylinder adaptedfor connection with the respectivesections of apressure applicator, said cylinder communicating at its ends With atmosphere, piston means positionedin the cylinder carried by said rod, said means having ends separated sufficiently to provide a space adapted to simultaneously connect with a plurality of said take-off tubes, and .a pressure supply connection with the space between said ends, whereby selective pressure supply to the tubes connected with said space and the venting to atmosphere of the other tubes is determined.

11. Therapeutic apparatus, comprising: a plurality of successively arranged limb-developing and compressing units, each of said units being 7 r pressure exp-ansible inwardly toward the limb to apply a constrictive pressure; supply andexhaust means for each of said units; a common pressure supply; and repetitiouslyoperable valve control means including a, pressure supply port and an atmosphere exhaust port successively connectible with said supply and exhaust meansof the units,

said pressuresupply port being of suchextent a's to simultaneously suppl pressure to a plurality of said units as a group, whereby at least one unit of thefgroup will remain connected tothe pressure supply to form .a holding pressure as other, units are added and removed from the group. f

12. Therapeuticapparatus, comprising: a'pl urality of limb-developing and compressing units, successively arranged and pressure expansible in;

wardly towardthe limb for compression.thereof, supply and exhaust means for. each of said units,

a common. pressure'supply, and repetitiouscyclically operable valve control means includinga continuously rotatable' valve member having .a a

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the,

file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2 2,140,898 Collens Dec. 20, .1938 2,345,073 Rosett' Q Mar. 28, 1944: 2,361,242 Rosett Oct. 24, 194,4

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country I Date 483,132 Great Britain Apr. 12, 1938 516,272 Great Britain Dec. '28, 1939 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,528,843 7 November 7, 1950 HENRY I. POOR It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 7, line 44, and column 8, line 14, respectively, for the word limbdeveloping read limb-enveloping;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oifice. Signed and sealed this 6th day of February, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

